Getting
your kids to eat fruit, veggies and yogurt instead of candy, chips and
ice cream might feel like pulling teeth. But it's important to encourage
them to eat "smart" snacks to keep their teeth – and body – healthy.
Whether you’re transitioning your older kids to a
healthier, balanced diet or just getting started with a little ones,
here are some tips for healthy snacking:
Set the tone. Your kids mimic what you do, so it’s important that you
eat smart snacks too. And be sure to practice good oral hygiene in
front of your kids; if you brush and floss after meals and snacks, your
kids will too.
Get creative with snacks. Show your kids that
healthy snacks can be fun! Prepare tasty combinations, such as apple
slices with peanut butter, fruit smoothies, meat and cheese rollups, or
yogurt sprinkled with granola and bananas.
Keep your kids involved. When you make your grocery
list, ask your kids to brainstorm about what kinds of food they'd like
to eat. This is a good opportunity to help them understand what's good
for their teeth and what's not. Then go grocery shopping together and
teach your kids how to read the Nutrition Facts label so that they can
check the sugar content.
Prepare nutritious meals. Snacking smart is great
for your teeth, but so is eating well-balanced lunches and dinners. Make
sure to add fruits and vegetables to every meal so that your kids
become accustomed to them.
We can help you come up with even more ideas for healthy snacks – come in for a visit, and we’ll work on a plan together.
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